I have come across several recent internet postings
concerning strange sounds being made by the
earth. (Mathman just posted on the subject on
1-26-12: http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/jan2012/mathman126-1.htm
).
The sounds are eerie – some of them even sounding like
groans. I have no idea what may be causing these
sounds, but I was reminded of the following verses:

“I consider that our present
sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that
will be revealed in us. The creation waits in
eager expectation for the sons of God to be
revealed. For the creation was subjected to
frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of
the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation
itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and
brought into the glorious freedom of the children of
God. We know that the whole creation has
been groaning as in the pains of childbirth
right up to the present time. Not only so, but we
ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our
adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is
seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he
already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet
have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:18-25.

“Now we know that if the earthly
tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from
God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human
hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be
clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because
when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.
For while we are in this tent, we groan and are
burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to
be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is
mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God
who has made us for this very purpose and has given us
the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to
come. Therefore we are always confident and know
that as long as we are at home in the body we are away
from the Lord. We live by faith, not by
sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:1-7.

Isn’t it interesting to note that all of creation is
waiting for us to receive our resurrection bodies?
Creation is also looking forward to the time when it will
be changed – no longer subject to decay. But there
is an order that must be observed: we will receive our new
bodies before the new heaven and new earth is created.

“But the day of the Lord will come
like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a
roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the
earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what
kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live
holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of
God and speed its coming. That day will bring
about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the
elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping
with his promise we are looking forward to a new
heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.”
2 Peter 3:10-13.

I like to think that these sounds that people are hearing
are God’s way of telling us that our resurrection is
near. Creation is groaning.

It is interesting to note that the Greek word for “groan”
is used one time in connection to Jesus. He sighs or
groans when He heals a deaf and mute man.

“After he took him aside, away
from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s
ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s
tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a
deep sigh said to him, ‘Ephphatha!’ (which
means, ‘Be opened!’). At this, the man’s ears were
opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak
plainly.” Mark 7:33-35.

I wonder if Jesus groans for us, too, in anticipation of
our adoption as children of God. His groan once
resulted in the healing of a man’s body. Perhaps
another groan from Him will result in the transformation
of all of our bodies.